afspm: A framework for manufacturer-agnostic automation in scanning probe microscopy

• Nicholas J. Sullivan,
• Julio J. Valdés,
• Kirk H. Bevan and
• Peter Grutter

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 653–667, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.45

• above a surface of interest while measuring one or more properties. This process allows for atomic-level imaging of properties, spectroscopic analysis, and even manipulation of a sample toward atomic-scale manufacturing [1]. However, a number of factors limit higher throughput of these techniques. First

• , preparing, running, and analyzing such experiments requires significant domain knowledge and expertise. Dozens of works over the past decade have investigated SPM automation. Some have shown probe tip conditioning to ensure proper surface characterization and/or manipulation [2][3][4]. Others have

• classified surface structure, detecting atoms [5], molecules [6], or defects of interest [7][8]. Even the design of experiments has been researched, using statistics to drive decisions during the experiment [9][10][11][12]. Active learning, where a machine learning algorithm’s internal model is updated

Cellulose as a photocatalyst support material: extraction, structural features, and environmental applications

• Yee Teng Lim,
• Nur Farhana Jaafar,
• Azizul Hakim Lahuri and
• Endang Tri Wahyuni

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 635–652, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.44

• for cellulose extraction were also explored such as acid hydrolysis, enzymatic hydrolysis, oxidation, and mechanical or solvent-based techniques. Besides that, this review highlights the role of cellulose in photocatalytic applications, where its high surface area, structural porosity, and abundance

• . Cellulose-based nanostructured photocatalyst hybrids have gained particular attention in recent years, and the number of studies in this area continues to rise steadily. CNCs possess several advantageous properties, including distinctive optical features, high stability, large surface area, and excellent

• crystallinity, excellent elasticity, and mechanical strength, with fibers ranging from 200 to 3000 nm long and 10–75 nm wide [23]. Extraction at the nanoscale not only reduces structural defects within cellulose’s hierarchy but also introduces new characteristics such as increased surface area, thereby

Two-step laser synthesis of Ag@TiO₂ nanomaterials for the photocatalytic degradation of rhodamine B

• Marija Kovačević,
• Miloš Tošić,
• Rafaela Radičić,
• Vladimir Rajić,
• Nikša Krstulović,
• Miloš Momčilović and
• Sanja Živković

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 622–634, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.43

• numerous modification strategies. Silver-modified titanium dioxide (Ag@TiO2) nanoparticles have gained significant attention as advanced photocatalysts for the degradation of organic pollutants, particularly under visible-light irradiation. The incorporation of silver introduces localized surface plasmon

• the morphology, composition, and crystallinity of the resulting nanostructures with high precision. The absence of organic contaminants or residual reagents maximizes the catalytic surface area, while the presence of silver can influence the optical response of TiO2 through plasmon-related effects

• nanoparticle formation, leading to improved control over nanoparticle structure and photocatalytic performance. Results and Discussion SEM analysis The surface morphology of PLD-prepared samples was analyzed using SEM-EDS (Figure 2 and Figure 3). SEM images of the sample surface after deposition of silver on

Recent progress in enhancing built-in electric fields of perovskite solar cells via junction engineering

• Tong Xiao and
• Ke Xu

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 602–621, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.42

• groundwork for the present review. Homojunctions focus on constructing continuous band bending and Fermi level gradients within the same material system using methods such as doping, surface reconstruction, or orientation induction, thereby smoothly extending the BEF from the interface into the bulk. Their

• [19]. The resulting BEFs, extending across both bulk and surface regions, facilitate the efficient separation of photogenerated carriers and promote their directional transport to the electrodes. Furthermore, optimized interfacial energy-level alignment enhances carrier extraction and suppresses

• distortions, create defects, and promote ion migration. To address these challenges, recent research has focused on precisely tuning the local potential via surface or near-surface doping and functionalization while preserving lattice continuity. Current efforts are also directed toward extending these

Towards targeted drugs and next generation of nanomedicines

• Anna Salvati,
• Silvia Giordani and
• Wolfgang J. Parak

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 598–601, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.41

• affect nanoparticle distribution and reach the target organ [24][27]. Endogenous targeting refers to the capacity of targeting acquired by nanomedicines after administration, upon adsorption on their surface of specific endogenous biomolecules. In fact, while nanomedicines are usually modified to prevent

• first lipid nanoparticle approved in the clinics for RNA delivery (in this case short interfering RNA). It was reported that this nanomedicine reaches the hepatocytes because of the adsorption of apolipoprotein E on its surface once administered, driving accumulation in the liver and promoting

• interaction with the low density lipopoprotein receptor (LDLR) on the hepatocytes [29]. Other examples of nanomedicines exploiting endogenous targeting are the so-called selective organ-targeting (SORT) lipid nanoparticles, which adsorb different corona proteins on their surface depending on their charge

Probing tribological evolution in atomically thin MoS₂ at different scales

• Xingzhong Zeng and
• Miao Zhang

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 586–597, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.40

• mode using silicon probes (PPP-LFMR, Nanosensors) with a normal spring constant of 0.2 N·m−1 and a tip radius of ≈8 nm. Raman spectra were collected using a 533 nm laser (0.5 mW power) to avoid sample damage. The surface roughness (Ra) values of MoS2 were measured from the corresponding topographic

• about 23 cm−1 (Figure 1d) indicates the corresponding MoS2 area is composed of 3–4 layers. Combined with topographic data, the two regions in Figure 1a were identified as 1L and 4L, respectively. Surface roughness (Ra) measurements (within an area of 1 μm × 1 μm) showed that both 1L and 4L MoS2 reduce

Impacts of annealing on structural and photophysical properties of zinc phthalocyanine adsorbed on graphene

• Gautier Creutzer,
• Quentin Fernez,
• Nataliya Kalashnyk,
• Zohreh Safarzadeh,
• Lydia Sosa Vargas,
• Céline Fiorini-Debuisschert,
• Nicolas Fabre and
• Fabrice Charra

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 576–585, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.39

• characteristic of a ZnPc response [43]. However, the highest energy peak is strongly shifted from its value of 1506 cm−1 in the bulk to 1543 cm−1 in this assembly. The same shift has been reported for the ZnPc embedded inside carbon nanotubes or adsorbed on their surface [44]. This is considered as a signature

• of π-stacking of the Pc conjugated core on the nanotube surface and its observation here is consistent with an adsorption of ZnPc on graphene, the molecule lying flat on the surface. The frequencies of these three peaks are similar before and after annealing (1543, 1472, and 1374 cm−1), within our

Laser–material interactions in liquids for the synthesis of nanomaterials: current status and perspectives

• Carlos Doñate Buendia,
• Bilal Gökce and
• Leonid V. Zhigilei

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 571–575, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.38

• nanoparticle generation in picosecond laser ablation in liquids [40], the elucidation of processes responsible for the formation of periodic surface structures on Cr targets irradiated by femtosecond pulses in water [41], and the integration of X-ray probing with simulations to study the transition from

• , functional applications often require incorporation of additives for size control [44], enhanced colloidal stability [45], or specific surface functionalization [46]. For example, the use of scavengers to capture reactive species can influence nanoparticle size [47] and increase productivity [48

• ]. Alternatively, employing organic solvents instead of water provides opportunities to produce carbon-encapsulated core−shell nanostructures [49] and enables control over oxidation [50], surface chemistry [51], and transferability between solvents [52]. The versatility of LSPC in terms of materials, solvents, and

Synthesis of Cu–Mo/TiO₂ and Co–Mo/TiO₂ photocatalysts for the efficient degradation of organic pollutants in water

• Ilse Acosta,
• Brenda Zermeño,
• Edgar Moctezuma,
• Luis F. Garay-Rodríguez and
• Isaías Juárez-Ramírez

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 559–570, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.37

• developed to overcome these limitations, including doping, noble-metal deposition, heterogeneous structures, and surface sensitization. Doping is a widely employed method to generate impurity states in the forbidden region or to reduce the effective bandgap. Doping TiO2 with transition metal ions can adjust

• . Mo doping introduces a donor level below the conduction band, thereby reducing the semiconductor bandgap. As a disadvantage, the addition of Mo can result in the formation of large crystals, affecting the surface area and the ability to adsorb pollutants. In contrast, Cu2+ and Co2+ are transition

• oxidation potential and better surface properties [27]. It is expected that the structural properties of the co-doped materials will promote the photocatalytic oxidation reaction. A decrease in the intensity of the diffraction peaks and the appearance of wider peaks were observed with increasing Cu and Co

Advances in nanotechnology applied to natural products

• Douglas Dourado,
• Fábio Rocha Formiga,
• Éverton do Nascimento Alencar and
• Franceline Reynaud

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 555–558, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.36

• formulations based on natural products [14][15]. Among lipid-based vesicular nanosystems, liposomes are widely investigated for the delivery of natural products. Liposomes consist primarily of phospholipids (often with cholesterol or others sterols) arranged in one or more bilayers, while additional surface

• nanoplatforms for the delivery of natural products, offering structural stability, tunable release profiles, and controllable surface properties [20]. Polymeric nanoparticles, in particular, can protect bioactive compounds, potentially reduce off-target toxicity, and enhance specific biological responses

Electrochemical determination of ciprofloxacin using a MIL-101/reduced graphene oxide-modified electrode

• Nguyen Quang Man,
• Nguyen Ngoc Nghia,
• Nguyen Vinh Phu,
• Vo Thi Khanh Ly,
• Le Lam Son,
• Pham Khac Lieu,
• Le Thi Hong Phong,
• Nguyen Dinh Luyen and
• Dinh Quang Khieu

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 541–554, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.35

• potential for miniaturization and field use. The performance of electrochemical sensors heavily relies on the electrode’s surface properties. Recently, metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have attracted significant interest in electrochemical sensing due to their highly ordered porous structures, very high

• surface areas, tunable pore sizes, and numerous active sites. Among these, MIL-101, a chromium-based MOF, is notable for its large pore volume, excellent chemical stability, and strong ability to adsorb organic molecules [9][10][11]. However, the poor electrical conductivity inherent to MIL-101 limits its

• direct use in electrochemical sensing. To address this limitation, hybridizing MOFs with conductive carbon materials has been extensively studied. Reduced graphene oxide (rGO) is especially appealing due to its high electrical conductivity [12], large specific surface area, mechanical stability [13], and

Probing internal continua and atomic ultrafast charge transfer within size-controlled nanoparticles by post-collision interaction in core-hole clock spectroscopy

• Johannes Lütgert,
• Erika Giangrisostomi,
• Nomi L. A. N. Sorgenfrei and
• Alexander Föhlisch

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 505–514, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.33

• photoluminescence quantum yield or RedOx chemistry, depend on a complex interplay of local and collective electronic structure aspects [10]. For example, quantum efficiency is strongly influenced by surface structure [11], the fabrication of core–shell and core–multishell architectures [12][13], and the choice of

• surface ligands [14]. In this work, we obtain charge transfer on the atomic scale for size-dependent quantum-confined systems using core-hole clock (CHC) spectroscopy. We further expand the well-established CHC approach by the aspect of detecting the internal continuum states within the size-controlled

• expected to be faster than electron transfer within the shell. This implies that the charge delocalization is faster within those layers of the ZnS shell that are closest to the CdSe core. Limited by the escape depth of the emitted electrons, the CHC approach is highly surface-sensitive. In the thinner QDs

Upcycling agroindustrial waste into graphene oxide supports for gold nanoparticles: toward sustainable nanomaterials

• Juan Marcos Castro-Tapia,
• Selene Acosta,
• Hiram Joazet Ojeda-Galván,
• Elsie Evelyn Araujo-Palomo,
• Edgar Giovanni Villabona-Leal and
• Mildred Quintana

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 489–504, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.32

• UV–vis, ATR-FTIR, XPS, XRD, and Raman measurements, complemented by TGA and TEM to assess optical properties, surface chemistry, and structural and morphological features. Additionally, gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were photochemically deposited onto Agro-GO to evaluate its potential for nanotechnology

• -related applications. The results reveal that Agro-GO exhibits tunable oxidation levels, diverse surface functionalities, and morphologies comparable to those of conventional GO; these properties strongly depend on the type of agroindustrial waste precursor used. These findings demonstrate the feasibility

• ; hybrid nanocomposites; plasmonic nanomaterials; surface functionalization; Introduction Graphene oxide (GO), due to its unique physicochemical properties, is widely explored regarding a range of applications, including sensors, water purification, and energy storage and conversion [1][2][3][4][5]. GO is

Defects and defect-mediated engineering of two-dimensional materials: challenges and open questions

• Arkady V. Krasheninnikov,
• Matthias Batzill,
• Anouar-Akacha Delenda,
• Marija Drndić,
• Chris Ewels,
• Katharina J. Franke,
• Mahdi Ghorbani-Asl,
• Alexander Holleitner,
• Ado Jorio,
• Ute Kaiser,
• Daria Kieczka,
• Hannu-Pekka Komsa,
• Jani Kotakoski,
• Manuel Längle,
• David Lamprecht,
• Yun Liu,
• Steven G. Louie,
• Janina Maultzsch,
• Thomas Michely,
• Katherine Milton,
• Anna Niggas,
• Hanako Okuno,
• Joshua A. Robinson,
• Marika Schleberger,
• Bruno Schuler,
• Alexander Shluger,
• Kazu Suenaga,
• Kristian S. Thygesen,
• Richard A. Wilhelm,
• E. Harriet Åhlgren and
• Carla Bittencourt

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 454–488, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.31

• 2D materials are synthetic; hence, in principle, the defect concentration in them can be well above the equilibrium value as the time after their fabrication may not have been sufficient to reach equilibrium. 2D materials have a high surface-to-volume ratio, so that defects can easily be formed due

• formation energies at the surfaces result in much higher surface defect concentration compared to the bulk. This gives rise to the following questions: Is this also true for van der Waals materials? Do thermodynamic considerations in transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) with relatively low (compared to

• Mo to form MTB networks [42]. Such surface reactions can change the composition and induce substoichiometric defects. The approach of reacting 2D sheets (e.g., chalcogenides) with excess metal may result in metastable point- and line-defect configurations [43][44][45] and even dense line-defect

Nanocarrier-integrated multilayer films produced by 3D printing for improved skin adhesion and curcumin photostability

• Thayse Viana de Oliveira,
• Ana Paula Farias Leão,
• Júlia Leão,
• Cesar Liberato Petzhold and
• Ruy Carlos Ruver Beck

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 440–453, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.30

• laser sintering, binder jetting, semi-solid extrusion (SSE), and direct powder extrusion [3][4][5]. SSE is a method in which a semi-solid material is placed into a syringe and continuously extruded layer by layer onto a smooth surface until the entire object is created. The semi-solid material itself

• SSE 3D printing could be strategically employed to construct multilayer topical films capable of addressing two key limitations of curcumin for cutaneous delivery, namely, (i) its pronounced photosensitivity, which necessitates a protective barrier and (ii) its limited affinity for the skin surface

• sample was then withdrawn from the surface of the film by the platform at a constant speed of 0.10 mm/s until total displacement was achieved. The work required to detach the skin sample from the 3D-printed films was calculated based on the peak force and maximum displacement after complete detachment

First-principles study on elastic properties of Cu, (Cu_1−x,Ni_x)₃Sn and interfacial mechanical properties of (Cu_1−x,Ni_x)₃Sn/Cu in the lead-free solder joint

• Guomin Hua

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 428–439, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.29

• surface, and the maximum Young’s modulus is oriented along the body diagonal, that is, the ⟨111⟩ direction. In contrast, as shown in Figure 3b–e, the orientation-dependent Young’s moduli of (CuxNi1−x)3Sn exhibit a spheroidal surface. After Ni alloying, the spheroidal surfaces of (CuxNi1−x)3Sn are expanded

Nanoinformatics: spanning scales, systems and solutions

• Iseult Lynch,
• Diego S. T. Martinez,
• Kunal Roy and
• Georgia Melagraki

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 423–427, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.28

• calculated and experimental features used to define and describe nanomaterials, and proposed a classification of the descriptors into those that directly describe a component of the nanoform (core, surface, or structure) and those that indirectly reflect its structure (experimental features related to the

• are challenging to experimentally measure. Using computational descriptors commonly used in nano-QSAR models, such as the potential energy of surface atoms and the water–NP surface energy, the model predicts that Pt NPs are more toxic than Au NPs, based on their surface properties, which drive

• Roy constructed a quantitative structure–property relationship (QSPR) model with 132 metal oxide (MeOx) nanomaterials to understand the possible mechanisms of cell membrane damage and the role of zeta potential (a proxy for surface charge) in particular. The results showed that zeta potential, along

Biomimetic nanoparticles in cancer photodynamic therapy: a review of targeted delivery systems and therapeutic outcomes

• Valentina I. Gorbacheva,
• Alexey S. Grabovoy,
• Polina S. Marukhina,
• Anastasiia O. Syrocheva and
• Ekaterina P. Kolesova

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 396–422, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.27

• nanoparticles: principles and platforms The BNP concept: nature-inspired delivery Advances in synthetic methods have enabled the fabrication of nanoparticles with a wide range of compositions, sizes, shapes, and surface properties [44][45]. These tunable characteristics make nanoparticles highly versatile for

• mimic their functions belong to the third generation of nanodelivery systems [50]. The first generation of particles was based on surface modifications to reduce the interactions with immune cells and to increase biocompatibility. Among them, biocompatible polymers like PEG and PPE have been widely used

• [51]. The second generation of nanocarriers harnessed surface functionalization with antibodies, peptides, and aptamers to increase the targeting of pathogenic tissues and cells by interacting with the receptors expressed on the surface of the target cells [52]. In contrast, BNPs are designed to

Eco-efficient materials for agricultural crops based on a mineral rich in MOR- and HEU-type zeolites

• Esperanza Yamile de la Nuez-Pantoja,
• Inocente Rodríguez-Iznaga,
• Gerardo Rodríguez-Fuentes,
• Vitalii Petranovskii,
• Ariel Martínez García,
• José Juan Calvino Gámez and
• Daniel Goma Jiménez

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 381–395, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.26

• urea arranged on the surface so that it covers the material and interacts with the zeolitic frameworks, was evidenced by Fourier-transform IR spectroscopy, adsorption measurements, scanning electron microscopy, scanning transmission electron microscopy, and other methods, as well as through culture

• formed by silicon and aluminium tetrahedra connected through their vertices by bridging oxygen atoms. This arrangement forms a network of interconnected channels and cavities with a large surface area, where water molecules and mobile cations (Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+) are located to neutralize the excess

• . Urea could have been located outside the material channels, adhering to the zeolitic surface [9][40]. Therefore, interaction at the surface level and coating of the mineral material surface can be assumed. Hydrogen bonds can be established through water molecules interacting directly and simultaneously

Polycatecholamine nanocoatings on stainless steel: the effect on attachment of human fibroblasts and platelets

• Paulina Trzaskowska,
• Ewa Rybak,
• Maciej Trzaskowski,
• Kamil Kopeć,
• Jakub Krzemiński,
• Rafał Podgórski,
• Hatice Genc,
• Mehtap Civelek and
• Iwona Cicha

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 365–380, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.25

• layers on stainless steel 316L via a novel in situ oxidation process and evaluated their physicochemical properties and cellular interactions at the nano/microscale. Surface characterization revealed that the polymeric coatings formed a homogenous layer with distinct topographical features and thickness

• in the nanometer range for PTYR and in the micrometer range in case of PDA. Compared to PDA, PTYR coatings exhibited a nanoparticulate surface morphology and higher stability under physiological conditions. Wettability, roughness, and amine group density were systematically analyzed to determine

• stability. Consequently, a variety of surface modifications have been developed to improve cell–material interactions, including anodized nanopit arrays, hydroxyapatite–collagen layers on polydopamine-modified steel, nanoporous coatings influencing integrin/ERK signaling, and bilayers comprising graphene

Ferroelectric nanodot reservoir for neuromorphic computing

• Anna Razumnaya,
• Yuri Tikhonov,
• Dmitrii Naidenko,
• Léo Boron,
• Valerii Vinokur and
• Igor Lukyanchuk

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 352–364, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.24

• “down” state. Termination of polarization at the top and bottom surfaces results in bound charges of magnitude mQb = mSPs, where S is the cross-sectional area of the nanodot. These surface-bound charges produce an internal depolarization field, Ed = −mPs/ε0εf, where ε0 is the vacuum dielectric

Interconnection morphology effects on the radio frequency response of carbon nanotube sponges

• Manuela Scarselli,
• Javad Rezvani,
• Zeno Zuccari,
• Mattia Scagliotti and
• Simone Tocci

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 343–351, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.23

• fits in Figure 5. From the Raman and XPS studies, as well as the SEM micrographs, we conclude that the ethanol treatment induced a change in the structure of the CNS sample, unravelling many of the aggregated tubes, resulting in an increase in pore size and overall available surface area. Without

• using a laser with a wavelength of 532 nm and a power of approximately 15 mW. The photon energy was calibrated using a Si reference. The measurements were performed using a monochromator with 1800 lines·mm−1. The laser power was optimised to prevent laser-induced damage. XPS surface analysis studies

• CNS samples were fixed on a molybdenum sample holder with silver paint kept at a distance of about 40 mm from the anode, the illumination area was about 5 mm × 5 mm, and the take-off angle between the sample surface and the energy analyser was kept at 45°. Survey and high-resolution spectra were

Beam shaping techniques for pulsed laser ablation in liquids: Unlocking tunable control of nanoparticle synthesis in liquids

• Sergio Molina-Prados,
• Nadezhda M. Bulgakova,
• Alexander V. Bulgakov,
• Jesus Lancis,
• Gladys Mínguez Vega and
• Carlos Doñate-Buendia

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 309–342, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.22

• gas aggregation are highly scalable and productive, though they typically require high temperatures or vacuum systems and may offer limited control over surface chemistry. Compared with these approaches, PLAL provides high-purity colloids with reduced impurities and byproducts, even allowing for

• conditions [21]. The high pressures induce spallation of the target surface, while the plasma interacts with the liquid, vaporising it partially and forming a cavitation bubble (CB) on a nanosecond timescale [22][23][24][25]. Throughout microseconds, the CB grows and collapses, releasing NPs into the liquid

• ][77] and colorimetric sensors [78][79], surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy detection [71][80][81], nanofluids for thermal applications [82][83][84], additive manufacturing [85][86][87], or catalysis [88][89]. The previously mentioned applications of PLAL-derived NPs can be grouped into four major

Fast vortex dynamics and relaxation times in NbRe-based heterostructures

• Francesco De Chiara,
• Zahra Makhdoumi Kakhaki,
• Francesco Avitabile,
• Francesco Colangelo,
• Abhishek Kumar,
• Carmine Attanasio and
• Carla Cirillo

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 292–302, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.20

• with the surface perpendicular to the applied field. Resistive transition measurements were performed using a DC bias current Ib = 10 μA. For all samples, the critical temperature was defined as the temperature at which the resistance drops to 50% of the normal-state value measured at T = 10 K (R10K

Advancing nanolithography: a comprehensive review of materials for local anodic oxidation with AFM

• Matteo Lorenzoni

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 275–291, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.19

• the application of a voltage bias between a conductive AFM tip and the sample surface, resulting in localized electrochemical reactions. This section delves into the fundamental principles governing LAO, including its mechanisms, controlling factors, fabrication metrics and advancements in the

• technique. 2.1 Mechanism of LAO The key to LAO lies in the formation of a nanoscale water meniscus between the AFM tip and the sample surface, as depicted in Figure 1b. Under ambient humidity, the water layer serves as an electrolyte, enabling electrochemical reactions. When a positive voltage is applied to

• the AFM tip relative to the substrate, the intense electric field (E > 107 V·m−1) [23] within the water meniscus drives oxygen-containing ions (e.g., OH− and O2−) towards the substrate surface. This triggers the oxidation reaction. At the substrate, the ions react with the material, forming newly